Big 12 football picks: Week nine predictions

All five teams are in action this week for a full day of Big 12 football. Iowa State hosts Oklahoma State in the lone contest at 11:00 AM Central to kick things off, but we’ll save that prediction for the preview being released later today.

Oct 06, 2012; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Sterling Shepherd (3) rushes against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at Jones AT

Instead, we’ll focus on West Virginia trying to get back on track on the road against Kansas State who’s winless in the Big 12 and two top 15 teams meeting up in Norman, Oklahoma.

(10)Texas Tech (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) at (15)Oklahoma (6-1, 3-1 Big 12)
Saturday, 2:30 PM CT (TV: FOX)

The Red Raiders are looking for their first 8-0 start since 2008 when they were in a three-headed race with the Sooners and the Texas Longhorns for the Big 12 South. If Baker Mayfield has to sit out for a third straight week, the Sooners might have the edge despite Davis Webb stepping up. Webb won’t be able to get his 400+ yards with Oklahoma leading the nation in passing defense giving up just 149.7 yards per game. Everything screams for OU to have the upper hand here matchup-wise at home, but TTU is underrated at stopping the run, and the Sooners just haven’t been impressive all month. TTU 24, OKLA 20 (Odds: TTU +7, U59)

West Virginia (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) at Kansas State (2-4, 0-3 Big 12)
Saturday, 2:45 PM CT (TV: FOX Sports 1)

I’ve never had a real good pulse on this Mountaineers team all season. Both teams combine for an 0-5 record on the road and just 1-6 in conference play. Outside of WVU beating Oklahoma State, neither of them have caught breaks and both of them have played the tougher part of the slate. Neither quarterback is impressive, so expect both running attacks to be fully implemented.

It will be a battle between WVU’s Charles Sims and KSU’s Daniel Sams, and I’ll give Sams the edge with better efficiency and will be a serious dual threat at running and throwing that could emulate his performance at Okie State. Despite the Mountaineers getting wacked twice in a row on the road (losing by a total margin of 68), they should keep it close. KS ST 30, WVU 27 (Odds: WVU +10.5, O53)

(8)Baylor (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Kansas (2-4, 0-3 Big 12)
Saturday, 6:00 PM CT (TV: ESPNU)

There’s not much to say about this one. Unless conference road woes plague the Bears, they should continue their romp and get near the 70-point mark again. All we know is to never take a good start by the Jayhawks seriously. BAY 63, KAN 23 (Odds: BAY -34.5, O66)

Texas (4-2, 3-0 Big 12) at TCU (3-4, 1-3 Big 12)
Saturday, 6:30 PM CT (TV: FOX Sports 1)

I’m a little surprised that the Horned Frogs are favored in this game. Trevone Boykin continues to digress in his performance with a horrible first half against Okie State and the running game isn’t on par to take advantage of the Longhorns’ defense. Still, TCU has a solid defense that will keep the Longhorns at bay on the ground and the Horned Frogs in it until the end. For once, it’s better to start Case McCoy in this situation.  TEX 24, TCU 14 (Odds: TEX +2, U51)

The prediction between Oklahoma State and Iowa State will be made later today in the preview.